Podcast appearances and mentions of jesus ephesians

What does being devoted to fellowship look like? It is so much more than just feeling positively towards the body of Christ. Dan Rude explains how fellowship is organic and how fellowship is also deliberate and why it mattered in the early church and today! Outline: What is fellowship?1. Fellowship is the fruit of walking in the light (organic)2. Fellowship is actively participating in the life of Christ together (deliberate)Benefits of fellowship1. Maturity in Christ-fellowship is the path to maturity- We need each other to know Christ deeply (Colossians 2:1-3)- How we treat each other is one of the primary ways we serve Jesus (Ephesians 4:15-16)2. Reaching the world for ChristPrioritize Christian fellowship1. Be a great, encouraging friend- Be what the church should be;don't point fingers at others2. Give generously3. Go to church4. Join a Community Group

Andy Rodgers, September 14, 2025

Jason Humphreys | The Heart of Jesus | Ephesians 4

Pastor Ty Neal If we are with Jesus, we are with one another. Jesus, save the lost and guide the saved. Pillar 1 | WorshipPillar 2 | WordPillar 3 | WitnessPillar 4 | With Ephesians 2:8-9 Life Without Jesus Ephesians 2:11-12 Life & Work of Jesus Ephesians 2:13 Ephesians 2:14 Ephesians 2:15 Ephesians 2:16-18 Revelation 7:9-10 Life With Jesus Life With Jesus: Citizenship Ephesians 2:19 Life With Jesus: Family Ephesians 2:19 Mark 3:31-35 John 6:29 Life With Jesus: Stone Ephesians

Sermon outline: You have a New Allegiance (Mark 8:34-35, Ephesians 4:1, Romans 12:1-2) 1. Rightly respond to Jesus' Authority Mark 8:34-35 2. Rightly respond to God's amazing grace to you in Jesus Ephesians 4:1 Romans 12:1-2

Jason Humphreys | The_Heart_of_Jesus | Ephesians 4

In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul calls us to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. In this message, we'll unpack what it means to live like Jesus. We'll look at following His example, forgiving as we've been forgiven, and laying down our lives in sacrificial love for others. Part 20 Ephesians Series “Like Jesus" (Ephesians 5:1-2) Pastor Caleb Yetton September 06 & 07, 2025

Jason Humphreys | The heart of Jesus | Ephesians 4:1-16

052525_alfredo_delgadillo_imitator_of_jesus_eph_5_1-6.mp3File Size: 74354 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

The Church: A Community of Spirit-Filled Followers of Jesus (Ephesians 2:17–22) - Dr. Bill Cook

Message from Jarrett Stephens on April 13, 2025

Every Day with Jesus - Ephesians 3.14-21 Jobey McGinty No “one way” relationship can survive, much less thrive. With Christ, if we are only “breathing in” our own thoughts, worries, or desires, we will always be one-sided, because we will only then be “breathing out” our thoughts, fears, and worries. A two-way relationship with Christ requires prayer, and while any genuine prayer is good, when we learn to respond to His Word in prayer our hearts become more aligned with Him, and like fuel (our prayers) being added to the fire (God's Word), our prayers and back and forth relationship become explosive.

Pastor of Congregational Care & Missions Jason Dunn concludes our sermon series on the definition of a disciple: one who is united to Jesus, in communion with God, in community with others, and commissioned for the world. Pastor Jason focuses on the final piece: the commission. Using the story of a tragic bridge collapse in 1907 and the subsequent creation of the "Order of the Ring" for engineers, he explores how our work, whether as engineers, artists, parents, or cashiers, is deeply meaningful and meant to glorify God. Just as engineers are reminded to pursue excellence for the public good, disciples of Jesus are called to see their work as sacred and impactful, contributing to human flourishing.Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, John 17:4, and 1 Corinthians 15:58, Pastor Jason unpacks the plan, purpose, and power of our commission as disciples. Our work is not merely about financial gain but about reflecting God's character, pushing back darkness, and participating in His mission for the world. Through both our work and witness, we are invited into a co-mission with God—whether through intentional evangelism or simply embodying the gospel in our daily lives. Ultimately, it is through God's power, not our own, that our labor is never in vain. Join us as we reflect on how to live as disciples who integrate work and witness for God's glory.

“But that is not the way you learned Christ! — assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus…” Ephesians 4:20-21

Today you will hear from our lead teaching pastor, Jimmy Acree. You can find out more about us by visiting our website at https://www.baconscastle.com. I hope ... Read More

WHAT WE HAVE IN JESUS (EPHESIANS 1:4-14) The verses that we are going to review today are about you. This is your life. Here, the Lord is just giving your biography: from grace to glory; from eternity past to eternity future. Now, if you're not interested in what you have in the Lord Jesus, and you're not interested in your own personal spiritual welfare, then what on earth would you be interested in? What on earth could you be interested in?   Did you know that God chose you, that God purposed your salvation, before He laid the foundations of the earth?  Now, you want to talk about some old-time religion, well you can't get any older than this.  I mean, this was before there were any trees and mountains and birds and bees and fleas. Now, that's before there was anything. God, way back in eternity past, chose you, and God chose me.  You know, when we were kids playing football, or basketball, we would choose teams from among the group of kids.  And there is always somebody who wonders if he is going to be chosen at all. Now, isn't it wonderful to know that God chose us so far back? You see, God is love, and what good is it to be a God of love if there's no one to love? Love, by its very nature, cannot dwell by itself.  And so, since God's nature is love, God created people like us, and chose us, that He might love us. Listen, God does not love us because we are valuable, we are valuable because God loves us.  You are somebody because God chose you by His grace. And by His sovereign will, God chose to bestow His love upon you. I like what Charles Haddon Spurgeon had to say about it. He said this: “God certainly must have chosen me before I came into this world, or He never would have chosen me afterward.”  Now, isn't it wonderful to know that even before we got here God looked down and said, “I see who he's going to be, and I choose him”? Most importantly, that means I can't take any credit for my salvation. Because, it wasn't, primarily, that I chose God.  He chose me first.  I love Him because He first loved me.  Click on the play button below to hear a message on what we have in Jesus.   This is a live recording of The Master's Class Bible Study at LifeChange Church Wichita, KS. Amen.

Join us in Ephesians 6:10-17!

Scott, Craig & Kyle start continue through the letter of Ephesians. Paul's letter to the Jesus followers in the city of Ephesus proclaims the gospel of Jesus and therefore how we should live. The Find & Follow podcast is all about helping you find and follow Jesus in everyday life! Following Jesus means to: Connect personally with Jesus every day Grow intentionally with others Serve in your Sweet Spot Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mission Church Messages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mission Church: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Website

Scott & Kyle continue through the letter of Ephesians. Paul's letter to the Jesus followers in the city of Ephesus proclaims the gospel of Jesus and therefore how we should live. The Find & Follow podcast is all about helping you find and follow Jesus in everyday life! Following Jesus means to: Connect personally with Jesus every day Grow intentionally with others Serve in your Sweet Spot Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mission Church Messages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mission Church: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Website

Welcome to The Village Church. Thank you for joining our live stream. We are beautiful and broken people connected in Jesus, extending His love.

Welcome to The Village Church. Thank you for joining our live stream. We are beautiful and broken people connected in Jesus, extending His love.

Welcome to The Village Church. Thank you for joining our live stream. We are beautiful and broken people connected in Jesus, extending His love.

Welcome to The Village Church. Thank you for joining our live stream. We are beautiful and broken people connected in Jesus, extending His love.

Welcome to The Village Church, where broken people come together to embrace and extend Christ's love.

Join us every Sunday at 10am at River of Life church in Guilderland, NY Find us online at facebook.com/riveralbany or riveralbany.com. Podcasts of the Sunday message can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, YT music, or Soundcloud.

Welcome to The Village Church, where broken people come together to embrace and extend Christ's love.

Welcome to The Village Church, where broken people come together to embrace and extend Christ's love.

Ephesians 5:1-3

Pastor Michael Barrett

(Mandarin) Lianbo Zhang - Narwee Baptist Church

In Pastor Mike's sermon focused on how reverence for Jesus transforms various aspects of life, emphasizing relationships, marriage, family dynamics, and work ethics. It challenged listeners to evaluate their actions through the lens of their devotion to Christ, suggesting that such reverence should guide interactions with spouses, children, and colleagues alike. The message underscored the importance of sacrificial love, mutual respect, and obedience as reflections of one's reverence for Jesus in everyday life.

Make Much of Jesus!

If you're curious about how to become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (this is an EXTERNAL resource, not owned by the Morning Mindset. Please do not leave messages for Carey there. See below for contact info).   ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR:   Talitha Coffee - Craft coffee subscription that TRULY changes the world of those caught in the sex trade. The Talitha team and their partners employ survivors of sex trafficking, train them for future opportunities, and set them to to succeed in life. Your subscription fuels that life-changing work. Get 10% by using my link - or use the code MORNINGMINDSET at checkout. https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/coffee   You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUPPORT OUR WORK: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACT US AT: Admin@MorningMindsetMedia.com

What does it look like to be transformed by the gospel? We can't make ourselves new, or shine our light. As humans, we become more like what we are around. If we set our minds on things from our old nature, we become calloused and more like that. When we stand in awe of what he has done and who he is we become more like him. Brought to you by: ⁠Around the Ancient World SHOW NOTES: -Go to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Get Started" page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all the information on how to use this study -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join thousands of women⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ who receive the lessons -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Invite a friend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -You can find more lessons ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Print more cards from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus + disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elizabeth-santelmann/support

EWC Livestream Like and Follow Jesus - Ephesians 4:1-16 Pastor Matt Gingerich Hear the desperate call to faithfulness and unity in the body, for the sake of the Gospel, to the glory of God. TOGETHER again and again may we as single, married, parents, grandparents, preachers, teachers, friends, and family set Jesus before our eyes. Thanks for joining us! DONATE: http://edenworshipcenter.co/donate DOWNLOAD: this week's Bulletin to follow along with Sermon Notes and Announcements! - https://bit.ly/3Ty4m3G

This Sunday, our message, from Ephesians 6:5-9,  was called “Working for King Jesus.” Ever since the garden of Eden, work has been difficult. Adam's sin led to a broken world and a broken creation. The penalty for his sin fell upon our work. Genesis 3:19 reads “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground…” As the Ray LaMontagne song, Trouble, goes: “Trouble, Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble. Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born. Worry, Worry, worry, worry, worry. Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone.”  In the gospel, Jesus has come to introduce his new kingdom. Ephesians announces that the grand plan of God is to reconcile everything in heaven and on earth to himself in Christ (Ephesians 1:10). The Church is the new redeemed people where that reality  of Christ's eternal reign begins to break through into our lives where we live every day. It is in our lives as disciples of Jesus that the curse begins to be reversed. Work becomes a place of worship, of growth, of freedom.  This Sunday, we are going to look at how knowing that you are working not for “the man” but for the “God-man”, King Jesus, can free your heart and soul and transform your work-life whether you are an employee, an employer, a student, or a stay-at-home parent. Christ's reign in your heart and in your life can begin to transform your workspace for the glory of God. Come this Sunday as we listen to the difference it makes when we recognize that we are working for a good King, King Jesus. We are praying that this passage might help all of us see how God can take hard work places and make them glorious heart work spaces where we are changed and our world begins to change. Looking forward to worshiping Jesus with you on Sunday. Praying for you! In Christ,  Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor

Formation in the way of Jesus must be stronger than the formation of the world. This is what Ephesians 5:11-21 is all about. Each one of us are either being formed into the way of Jesus or we are being deformed into the way of the world. There is no middle ground. In this teaching we explore what it looks like to be formed in the way of Jesus.

Love Your Neighbor, 2 of 7, April 7th, 2024 “We love our neighbors with confidence when Jesus makes us God's children.” 1 John 2:28-3:3 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks) REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

God has promised to never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). But that's God's end of the bargain, right? What if you walk away from God? Many Christians worry about this perceived possibility. If you're the new self with a new heart, then you're a “slave of righteousness” (Romans 6:18). You have an undying love for Jesus (Ephesians 6:24), and you'll never want to walk away from God. Even if you thought you could, God goes with you wherever you might go, because Christ lives in you forever (Romans 8:38-39).

Caleb Clardy teaches from  Ephesians 4:11-16 on March 17, 2024.Support the show

True Identity Begins as We Follow Jesus

The Gospel reconciles sinners to God and to each other.

Thank you for listening! Here are some ways to learn more and stay connected! New To Faith?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our New To Faith page!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Pastor Derek Neider⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Derek on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to email.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the daily devotional⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore recent messages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast was created by Pastor Derek Neider as a ministry of Awaken Las Vegas. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are located at 7175 W. Oquendo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89113.  Our gathering times are 9am & 11am Sundays and 6:30pm Thursdays.

In this episode, we're talking about the small seemingly insignificant parts of our growth and devotional life and the reminder that the source of our peace is Jesus (Ephesians 2:14 NIV). Check out ⁠⁠⁠HeavenatHome.org ⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ashley on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ashleyem.official ⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ashley on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠ashleyem.official ⁠⁠⁠ Support this podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heavenathome/support

Since 1961, families and friends had been separated by the Berlin Wall. Erected that year by the East German government, the barrier kept its citizens from fleeing to West Germany. In fact, from 1949 to the day the structure was built, it’s estimated that more than 2.5 million East Germans had bolted to the West. US President Ronald Reagan stood at the wall in 1987 and famously said, “Tear down this wall.” His words reflected a groundswell of change in the region that culminated with the wall being torn down in 1989—leading to Germany’s joyous reunification. Paul wrote of a “wall of hostility” torn down by Jesus (Ephesians 2:14). The wall had existed between Jews (God’s chosen people) and gentiles (all other people). And it was symbolized by the dividing wall (the soreg) in the ancient temple erected by Herod the Great in Jerusalem. It kept gentiles from entering beyond the outer courts of the temple, though they could see the inner courts. But Jesus brought “peace” and reconciliation between the Jews and gentiles and between God and all people. He did so by “[breaking] down the wall . . . that separated us” by “his death on the cross” (vv. 14, 16 nlt). The “Good News of peace” made it possible for all to be united by faith in Christ (vv. 17–18 nlt). Today, there are many things that can divide us. As God provides what we need, let’s strive to live out and declare the peace and unity found in Jesus (vv. 19–22).